The next morning, two corporate accountants sat at the dining room table, surrounded by stacks of financial binders and bank statements.
Julian stood at the end of the table, his hands resting on the polished wood as he watched them review the numbers.
Accountant 1: Mr. Sterling, we've completed the preliminary review of the estate accounts managed by Mrs. Gable over the past twelve months.
Julian: What are the findings?
Accountant 1: Over two hundred thousand dollars in household funds have been siphoned off into an offshore account registered under Mrs. Gable's maiden name.
Julian: Two hundred thousand?
Accountant 2: Yes, sir. She was submitting forged receipts for high-end organic grocers, luxury linen services, and private tutoring fees that were never delivered.
Julian slammed his fist down on the table, making the crystal water glasses ring.
Julian: She was stealing from a grieving child!
Accountant 1: There's more, sir. We found transaction records showing she was planning to transfer another fifty thousand dollars from Lily's personal trust fund next week.
Julian: She had access to Lily's trust fund?
Accountant 2: Your late wife signed a secondary authorization form three years ago allowing the household manager to cover emergency medical and educational expenses from that account.
Julian pulled his cell phone from his pocket and pressed a direct speed dial number.
Julian: Detective Vance? This is Julian Sterling. I need an arrest warrant issued immediately.
Detective Vance: What happened, Julian?
Julian: Grand larceny, embezzlement, and child endangerment. I have full financial audits ready for your team right now.
Detective Vance: Give me thirty minutes. I'll send two units to her residence.
Julian hung up the phone, taking a deep breath to steady his racing pulse.
He walked out of the dining room into the foyer, where Lily was playing with a set of wooden building blocks near the window.
Cora sat on a velvet bench nearby, knitting a small pink woolen sweater for the girl.
Lily: Daddy! Look how tall my tower is!
Julian: That's amazing, sweetie! Don't let it fall!
Julian walked over to the bench and sat down next to Cora, looking down at the knitting needles in her hands.
Julian: Cora, I want to talk to you about your position in this house.
Cora: If you want to hire a proper chef now, sir, I understand completely. I am getting old...
Julian: Stop right there, Cora. I'm not firing you.
Cora paused her knitting, looking up into Julian's eyes with a questioning look.
Julian: I want you to step into the role of Head Estate Administrator.
Cora: Administrator? Me? Mr. Sterling, I don't know anything about high-society management!
Julian: You know how to love my daughter. You know how to run a home with kindness and honesty. That is worth more than any fancy management degree.
Lily: Does that mean Miss Cora stays forever, Daddy?
Julian: It means Miss Cora is family now, Lily.
Lily let out a joyous squeal, dropping her wooden blocks and throwing herself into Cora's lap.
Cora: Oh, my sweet child... my sweet, sweet girl.
Tears spilled over Cora's wrinkled cheeks as she held Lily tight, resting her chin on the girl's blonde head.
Julian: Your salary will be quadrupled, Cora. And every penny you spent on Lily over the past year will be reimbursed today with interest.
Cora: Mr. Sterling, you don't have to reimburse me for loving your daughter.
Julian: I know I don't, Cora. But it's what a real family does.